RWDSU Power in Action: Officer Elections, Political Strategy, and Global Solidarity Mark Day 2
Day 2 of the 25th Convention built upon the opening day's momentum, highlighting political action and international worker solidarity. From key addresses by national labor leaders to the RWDSU officer elections and inspiring calls to action from political and civil rights leaders at home and abroad, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to worker power both on the shop floor and across the globe.
Officer Elections & Swearing-In
RWDSU Delegates Elect Leadership and Swear In Officers
The energy inside the hall reached a fever pitch today as delegates gathered for the cornerstone of the Convention: the official RWDSU executive officer elections and swearing-in ceremony.
With collective pride delegates exercised their voices on the convention floor to nominate and elect the leadership team charged with guiding the union into its next term. The votes cast today set the strategic vision and core leadership for the RWDSU's upcoming fights for worker justice.
Immediately following the election, cheers erupted across the floor as the elected officers took the stage for their official swearing-in ceremony.
President: Stuart Appelbaum
Secretary-Treasurer: Joseph Dorismond
Recorder: Tina Buonaugurio
Officiated by UFCW International President Milton Jones, the officers stood side-by-side to take their oaths – pledging to serve the RWDSU membership, uphold the union constitution, and relentlessly advance worker power everywhere.
With a freshly minted mandate and leadership team in place, the RWDSU moves forward stronger, united, and ready to fight for working families on every front.
Morning Highlights
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum opened the morning by welcoming delegates back to a packed floor for a pivotal day of business. The room immediately filled with a sense of purpose and shared tradition as Msgr. Kevin Sullivan delivered an uplifting morning invocation, offering reflection on the dignity of labor. Following the prayer, musicians Larry Siegel and Hassan Bakr brought the hall to its feet with a soulful, rhythmic performance, setting a collaborative and energized tone for the work ahead.
Invocation & Music: Msgr. Kevin Sullivan offered meaningful words of spiritual reflection, followed by an inspiring musical collaboration between Larry Siegel and Hassan Bakr that had delegates clapping along across the hall.
With the tone set for the day, the morning session moved swiftly into reports and greetings from national union leaders:
Lisa Pedersen, UFCW EVP & General Counsel outlined the legal threats facing the union, highlighting anti-union actions taken by the administration since taking office.
Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President, addressed the convention via Zoom, delivering a high-energy message that highlighted the crucial role RWDSU officers and members play in strengthening the broader national labor movement and fighting for working families everywhere. With a particular focus on how no form of technology can replace the heart and soul of RWDSU members, President Shuler rallied the room to take on AI issues at work and to “organize organize organize!”
Political Action & Legislative Strategy
Turning from broad national union strategy to political and legislative work, the floor focused on where union power meets legislative battlegrounds:
Political Action Committee Report: Committee leaders detailed recent hard-fought legislative victories and outlined aggressive political strategies to defend worker rights, expand labor protections, and hold elected officials accountable at every level of government.
Adoption of Political Resolutions: In a clear display of shared purpose, delegates overwhelmingly debated and passed Political Resolutions #12, #13, #14, and #15, sharpening the union's political agenda and cementing its legislative mandate for the coming year focusing on fighting for affordability and access to care.
Afternoon Session: Global Solidarity & Special Speakers
The afternoon session kicked off with dynamic, member-driven energy featuring the premiere of TikTok Video #2and the infectious convention theme song, immediately transitioning into cross-border labor strategy:
Global Labor Keynote & Panel: Special Speaker Lawrence Ben, Member of Parliament from South Australia, and RWDSU alumni, addressed the floor on global labor standards. Following his remarks, RWDSU Vice President David Mertz led an insightful Global Panel featuring UNI Global Union Head of Commerce Mathias Bolton and Deputy General Secretary of the IUF Sarah Meyer. Together, they explored cross-border supply chain challenges, international organizing strategies, and the necessity of global worker solidarity.
Global Resolutions: Grounding those discussions into concrete action, delegates formally adopted Global Resolutions #11, #16, and #17, cementing international labor partnerships and enforcing shared standards for workers worldwide with an eye on warehouse worker safety and AI.
International Voices:Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, joined remotely to reinforce the global network backing RWDSU members on the frontlines and the success and need for global solidarity always and in all ways particularly around the threat to jobs from AI.
Keynote Address: Governor J.B. Pritzker
Introduced by President Stuart Appelbaum, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker took the main podium to a warm ovation, delivering a ringing keynote address that brought the room together. Praising the resilience and strength of the RWDSU, Governor Pritzker pledged his continued, unwavering support for pro-labor legislation and worker protections.
Speaking directly to the delegates, Governor Pritzker emphasized the critical role organized labor plays in building an equitable economy, resisting anti-worker policies, and securing legislative victories that safeguard working families both in Illinois and across the nation.
Civil Rights & Grassroots Organizing: Larry Hamm
Introduced by Charles Hall Jr., veteran activist Larry Hamm brought the floor to its feet with a thunderous address bridging the historical and ongoing connection between civil rights and labor rights. Delivering a passionate call to action, Larry Hamm urged delegates to maintain the fierce spirit of civil rights activism at the root of every grassroots labor struggle.
Hamm’s dynamic remarks highlighted the inseparable link between racial justice, economic equality, and rank-and-file union mobilization, leaving the hall re-energized and ready to take the fight back to their local communities.
Union Spirit
The day concluded with celebration, unity, and a sense of shared accomplishment stretched across the entire hall, literally:
Convention Panorama Photo: Delegates stood shoulder-to-shoulder for the official 25th Convention panorama photograph, capturing the incredible diversity, strength, and solidarity of the delegation.
Regional Elections: Delegates convened at the close of the afternoon session to conduct Regional Elections across all represented areas.
Union Goodies: Closing out the day on a high note, the Floor Committee distributed union goodies, proudly showcasing RWDSU-made goods produced by union brothers and sisters across the country.
Looking Ahead
Day 2 demonstrated that the RWDSU’s vision spans from local shop floors to international labor fronts. With officers sworn in, political priorities set, and global bonds strengthened, the union moves into Day 3, our final convention day ready to build on its powerful legacy.
Thursday Special Event: Join us at 6:00 PM for the Celebrate the RWDSU Reception & Dinner, kicking off in the Citron Ballroom Foyer! Note: Admission tickets will be distributed during Thursday's session.
Get Involved: Keep the momentum going! Share your photos, videos, and convention highlights on social media using #RWDSUPower!
